Hi, so I am looking to buy an e36, preferably an M3 and came across this convertible. The cloth roof needs to be changed and so do the motors that pull it up and down, and the seats need to be replaced. I have no problems fixing any of those things as I intend on fixing things on the car by myself so that will just be an extra thing to change. My question is, is the car worth a gamble for 4300. Carfax states 7 previous owners no damage or accidents reported and the mileage seems to be correct, 144k. Its a 5 speed manual. Thanks for the input!
p.s. im new to this and have never posted pictures into forums so if they dont open please let me know.
https://ibb.co/F6yXjdC
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Last edited by at94; 02-14-2019 at 08:34 PM.
Hey sorry to say but if you're new to e36 convertibles, stay away from this one! If you want a good scare for life, take out both front seats and the interior door side trim (look online how to) and lift up the carpet from the sides (both front L+R side) and you'll probably see your floor rusting through or about to. The e36 convertibles have extra metal reinforcement plates in the foot well region and they are harder to rust repair.
Sent from my CAT S61
Dude the guy is trying to sell his broken convertible, so of course he'll say anything. Now whether it was garaged or not doesn't matter, that carpet is very thick and it's a giant sponge. The water accumulated won't evaporate anytime soon if at all. All you gotta do is snake your hand a good palm under the carpet in front and feel if it's wet (that is, if you don't feel confident to take the guys car apart before purchase). However if you do go through with taking it apart, grab pictures to post as to help another potential buyer avoid a rust bucket. Another easy place to snake you hand is behind the driver and passenger seat where the carpet ends towards the back bench seat. But this area is usually dry as it's quite thin foam carpet insulation there.
Anyway post more questions and best of luck.
I wouldn't pay $4500 for it though, we have a local minty silver 328is with matching hardtop selling for 4500 CAD. Just not very many into 'vert here..
*EDIT* Just saw the pics now, they weren't loading. Didn't realize it was m3, that's a good m3 price if it isn't damaged too badly inside, consider asking the guy to let you look. But in general if you want e36 m3, stay away from verts.
Sent from my CAT S61
Last edited by MauiM3Mania; 02-16-2019 at 11:40 AM. Reason: sophomorically crude
If you end up grabbing it and need seats/covers, let me know. I'm redoing the decent upholstery in my '99 M3 convertible and am changing upholstery from Dove Grey to Dark Red/Black.
+1 on checking for water; both of the cars I had leaked from the tops; fortunately nothing was rusted through though it did kill the side impact sensors in one of them. Easiest way is to remove the rear seat (check for water there) and feel under the front seats through the heater vents.
Ryan
'99 Titanium Silver ///M3 Convertible
'02 Imola Red ///M5
Manual, clean title, 144K...if it has no dash lights it's worth $4k to somebody. Seats needing refinishing is not a deal breaker. I'd definitely check for water intrusion with seven owners no way of knowing how often it was actually garaged. I'd assume those are not real BBS rims though.
I think it's worth it, but another +1 for water
Thanks guys for all the helpful advice, I’m gonna try and get out in the next two weeks and take a look at the car.
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